Thanks for spotlighting centennial farmsI am writing in my capacity as president of the Fluvanna Historical Society to thank the Fluvanna Review for its recent article on the centennial farm program and to provide some additional information on the society’s work in this area.

The Historical Society has had a centennial farm program since 1998. This effort is a local one but uses the same criteria as the state program. The results have been remarkable. So far the society has honored a total of 17 Fluvanna farms which have been farmed by the same family for 100 years or more. The Sept. 21 Fluvanna Review cover has a photo of the slate plaque given to the owners of each centennial farm. Again this year we honored another Fluvanna centennial farm at our annual meeting Oct. 8. This marks an ongoing effort to find these farms and to recognize the importance of family farming over many generations.

Marvin MossFluvanna Historical Society president

Tenaska Generation Station comes to the rescueImagine preparing to package 79 hot and cold meals in the dark for delivery to hungry homebound seniors and disabled neighbors in Fluvanna County. Well, we couldn’t either. On Monday, Oct. 9, when there was a power outage at Effort Baptist and the surrounding areas, Dogwood Restaurant was delivering large quantities of hot and cold food to be packaged and delivered to the clients of Fluvanna Meals on Wheels. Our kitchen volunteers were ready to divide up and package the food, but there were no lights in the windowless kitchen. One quick call to Tenaska Generation Station and an employee delivered four powerful flashlights to enable the kitchen volunteers to accomplish their task. Crisis averted, and all clients received their hot meal for the day. On behalf of the Fluvanna Meals on Wheels Board, staff, volunteers and clients, we express our thanks to Tenaska Generation Station for their response to our call.

Lisa HimesFluvanna Meals on Wheels executive director
Cover was shockingThe front page of the Fluvanna Review just before Election Day had an eye-catching simple title with excellent photographs of the two contenders for Rivanna District supervisor. But below that was a 2-inch by 10-inch brightly colored advertisement for one of the candidates depicted in the center of the front page. Regardless of who I would vote for, I was appalled at the total lack of journalistic integrity. My 10th grade journalism class was one of the best courses in my ongoing education, filled with information that affected my writing style for the rest of my life. However, even 58 years ago, my journalism teacher, Mr. Kahmi, would have assigned a grade of F-minus for this faux pas depicting an apparent advocacy for one of the two candidates. If the Fluvanna Review endorses a candidate, it should appear in the editorial section, not a highlight on the front page.

John C. DonovanLake Monticello

Editor’s note: The Fluvanna Review does not endorse any candidates for office. Our cover advertisement is available each week for purchase by any candidate, business or organization. The ad in question was marked “paid advertisement,” as are all political ads. All candidates had the opportunity to purchase cover space for an advertisement; only one chose to do so.

County should lead on solar energyLast Friday’s draft report on Volume II of the National Climate Assessment focuses on the current and future impacts of climate change and in its final form will accompany a report on the science of climate change that was unveiled by 13 federal agencies. Compared to the previous National Climate Assessment published in 2014, some of the emphasis of the impacts that have been felt across the country in the past three years has changed. Take the tidal flooding of coastal cities. Scientists have documented a record number of “nuisance flooding” events during high tides. In 2014 nearly half of the residents in Hampton Roads were trapped in their neighborhoods at least once because of tidal flooding. Climate change will also make worse the impact on American companies’ overseas operations and supply chains, putting at risk trade and the economy. In addition, global warming and natural disasters affect development in less affluent countries placing additional burdens on the United States for humanitarian assistance and disaster aid.

What strikes me is how local government agencies and individual representatives will react to the facts and implications of this report. For example, I’ve provided information on the concept of community solar and microgrids to the Board of Directors at Lake Monticello and to individuals on Fluvanna County’s Board of Supervisors but with no response whatsoever. I’ve given up on Lake Monticello taking the lead with responsible action, but I assume Fluvanna County leaders could take a proactive stand and host a forum on the cutting-edge technologies that would offer residents the option of utilizing a source of energy in the form of solar power that is both renewable and cost effective. A Fluvanna County forum could explain the options of solar energy from the perspective of the companies that install and maintain solar panels and the utility companies that presently provide electricity (Dominion Power and Central Virginia Electric Cooperative).

And who would benefit from such a forum? Anyone who wants to save on their electric bills and, at the same time, help steer planet Earth toward a safer and less catastrophic future.

Julius NeelleyLake Monticello

Tax bill creates winners and losersWe have heard that the new tax bill would close loopholes. Why wasn’t the carried interest loophole, which benefits rich Wall Street executives, closed? Why was the dependent daycare expense deduction and student loan interest deduction for ordinary Americans along with a myriad of other deductions that greatly benefit the middle class taken away? Let’s be clear. $1 trillion of the tax cuts go to corporations at the expense of ordinary Americans. I have no problem with an individual or business getting their taxes cut. My problem is that there should not be winners and losers. Everyone should get their taxes cut.